"The holy group is suitably employed in meditation upon the volume of prophecy held by the infant saviour, to whom the young St. John is addressing himself on bended knee, pointing to a passage, which we may suppose to bear reference to his future sufferings and glorification. Joseph listens with grave attention, and mary, pondering over the sayings, which she hears, treasures them in her heart. " The tints of Guilio Romano were not those of Titian; and in fresco-paintings especially, he often indulges in a harsh brick-dust sort of colouring, which is thoroughly disagreeable. In this respect the picture before us is free from imputation; it is painted throughout in a rich and powerful tone, well according with the dignified character of the design." [P. 9.]
Gallery of Pictures, selected from the most admired productions of the Old Masters, Doggett's Repository, No. 16 Market-Street.
